ST. PAUL (August 20, 2014) — Jeni Haler, a 19-year-old college student from Norwood Young America, Minn., representing Carver County, was crowned the 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way in an evening ceremony at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, August 20.

Haler will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for more than 3,600 Minnesota dairy farm families. Jeni is the daughter of Rick Haler and Connie Helget Haasken, and attends the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she double majors in animal science and Spanish/Portuguese studies.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed August 3-9, 2014, as “Farmers Market Week” in Minnesota to celebrate the benefits of farmers markets and the agricultural products farmers provide.

The popularity of farmers markets has increased, in part, because of the interest in healthier foods and lifestyles and an increased understanding of the importance of maintaining small, sustainable farms. Local farmers are able to offer consumers a variety of products including heirloom vegetables, heritage breeds of livestock, and other specialty products.
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Minnesota youth have until Friday, Aug. 15, to apply for a special deer hunt at a state park or refuge. Four local state parks are offering firearms hunts for youth ages 12-15. They are among 17 special youth hunts statewide.

Participating in a youth deer hunt does not preclude the youth from participating in the regular firearms deer season, but any deer harvested do count against the youth’s season bag limit. An adult parent, guardian or mentor must accompany the youth at all times while hunting, but only the youth may hunt. Youth and their mentor must attend a...

U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar have penned a document titled "Don't Let Big Oil Bully Biofuels" in regards to the delayed RFS ruling from the EPA. See below:

It’s vacation season across America. That means family road trips are underway and the traveling public is paying even closer attention when they pull up to the pump. America’s road warriors have long cherished affordable gas prices. Today’s drivers also value clean-burning fuel choices that help the environment and boost America’s energy independence.

Head to the Osceola County Fairgrounds in Sibley, Iowa at the Great Plains Building at 5:30 p.m. for the Sibley-Ocheyeden 2014 FFA Labor Auction! The following young people will be offering up four hours of their time to the highest bidder for farm and/or domestic labor in efforts to raise funds for the S-O FFA program development, educational opportunities, and more!

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Diesel drivers on Minnesota roads and highways will be running on cleaner fuel this summer as they start filling up with the nation’s first, required 10 percent biodiesel blend. Known as B10, this higher blend will be sold annually from April 1 through September 30. A five percent mixture that works better in Minnesota’s winter weather, called B5, will be used between October and late March each year.

Help out the Nobles County 4-H program by participating in the easiest fundraiser (and at no additional cost to you!) -- the Hy-Vee Shop and Share Program!

During this weekend, June 27th, 28th and 29th, bring this coupon to Hy-Vee and present it to the cashier upon your usual checkout. The Worthington Hy-Vee store will give the Nobles County program will receive 5% back of the total amount of food/product purchased when the coupons are used.

You can print out this coupon by clicking on it and printing, or you can stop by the Extension Office and pick up a stack of the coupons...

A hail clinic is coming up on Monday, June 23rd. University of Minnesota Extension Agronomists Dr. Seth Naeve and Dr. Jeff Coulter along with Extension Educators Liz Stahl and Mike Boersma will be on hand to answer questions on managing crops damaged by the June 16th storm that went across Southern MN.

The meeting will be held 1:30 PM, Monday June 23rd on the John Busman farm. The clinic will be located 1 ½ miles East of Hwy 91 on the county line (1st Street/County Road 71) at the farmsite, 776 1st St., County Road 71.